GB Values

Red Shield

The Red shield’s credibility was built over the years through hard work and excellence shown by the Gracie Barra students, athletes and instructors involved in sport Jiu-Jitsu competitions, teaching programs and community work.

Fight Song

Sea of Red

Wearing the red shirt is saying it loudly to the world: I BELIEVE IN GRACIE BARRA.

The Red Shirt seeks to promote a sense of unity among the members of the GB team around the world. It promotes unity, support, equality, identity, philosophy and proud of being part of GB team. Wearing the red shirt is saying: I am part of GB Team.

Founder

Reg Directors

The develop- ment of Gracie Barra’s presence in a new territory starts through the work of a leader. Expansion and movement into different territories or areas usually starts with one school, then eventually spreads out to several other locations as students of the originating school decide to follow in the steps of their mentors.

Senior Ranks

The Gracie Barra Legacy Award was created by Master Carlos Gracie Jr. as recognition for the loyalty, support, commitment, and hard work of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu professors who have been working to build Gracie Barra for 25 years or more.

Professors

The Gracie Barra legacy is one of many champions built by great Professors and Masters. Beyond the Jiu-Jitsu contest arena. Lessons taught by our instructors have impacted positively the lives of hundreds of communities and thousands of people over the years.

Instructors

Gracie Barra Instructors are held responsible to high standards of etiquette, instruction and philosophy set by Master Carlos Gracie Jr. and the Gracie Barra Association. To maintain the integrity and focus on safety in our schools, all of our instructors are certified. Additionally, our instructors are all required to be CPR/Basic First Aid certified.

Athletes

Athletics within Gracie Barra builds community and pride through the engagement of students, staff, parents, and friends, and creates a portal through which everyone can enjoy the GB experience. Successful athletic performance generates a unique excitement across the Gracie Barra Schools and community, help strengthen bonds among the various arms of our organization, build students loyalty in a healthy manner, and give Gracie Barra members yet another reason to be proud to represent the legacy of Master Carlos Gracie Jr. and defend the red shield.

Benefits

We all are networkers. We are born with the capability and connect with others. Connections, however become stronger between those with similar interests. And what stronger bond is there than our love for the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Expanding your Jiu-Jitsu network is very beneficial. It cultivate camaraderie, learning, and growth. Imagine what other techniques you can learn from other practitioners once you get to know them. And for kids, making more friends with those kids coming from different schools. After all, we are all in this together. Right?

Ways to expand your network

There is no need for you to actively seek and expand your network in Jiu-Jitsu. Believe it or not, it just happens naturally. Let time, and training takes its course.

One of the most common places where your Jiu-Jitsu network expands is through other Gracie Barra schools. A trip to another gym, meeting the coaches, and grappling is easy. More so, I personally believe that training with other Gracie Barra schools from time to time removes what I call the “training rut.” Whenever you feel that you are not improving, maybe you can check out other GB schools in the area. You don’t really need to train there, just try and meeting new people.

One of the most travelled Gracie Barra Black Belts that I know has to be Professor Fabio Costa. At one point, we would talk and he’d all the way to the West Coast, the next day in the East Coast. Crazy right. So far, I believe that his BJJ network is so expansive, that he also is friends with other teams and camps.

Being friends with members of other camps is not evil. After all, they also share Master Carlos’ vision of Jiu-Jitsu for everyone, right?

Competitions are also a good way of expanding your network. A simple compliment after a match, whether you choked him, or he choked you, is a sure fire way to expand your network.

Upkeep of Networks

Although, I am not a huge fan of Social Media, I would have to say that it helps a lot in keeping in touch with your network of friends. Status updates are important. But, please do promise that you do more training than punching in characters in your facebook page.

People are also expanding their own network

It’s a good thing: people expanding their network also meet with our expanding network as well. This is where it gets exciting, when people become a part of our network, they also become our resources. Every person is a treasure trove of knowledge and experience. It is good to learn as well from other BJJ artists. It will help us in our Journey.

Remember this: when we expand our network, we become more capable of living the Gracie Barra lifestyle. To which we become ambassadors of the world’s most awesome form of martial art.